Overview & Reviews

In business for more than 100 years, Audi is an automaker that builds luxury cars and SUVs. The company was started in Germany and has remained Deutschland-based to this day.

"Audi Automobile Works" entered the German car-manufacturing business in 1910 and remained independent until the Great Depression. Because Audi's founder, August Horch, had left a 10-year-old company bearing his own name, he chose a Latin form of his name -- Audi -- for his new company. Audi joined with three other auto manufacturers in 1932 to form Auto Union. Audi, the only surviving nameplate from that union, was purchased by Volkswagen in 1964.

During the 1970s, Audi started to get noticed in the U.S. with its 100LS luxury sedan and compact and sprightly Fox coupe and sedan. By the late '70s the brand had replaced the dated 100LS with its new 5000 luxury sedan.

Every manufacturer has its defining moments. For Audi, one such moment came in March 1980 at the Geneva Motor Show. The automaker unveiled the Audi Quattro, an all-wheel-drive sport coupe that was met with a wildly enthusiastic response on the show floor. The Quattro's all-wheel-drive system went on to help Audi win accolades in motorsports and it was eventually integrated into the entire model range.

That year also saw the Fox replaced by the 4000. Four years later, the range-topping 5000 was redesigned. Audi's sales shot up nearly 50 percent, thanks chiefly to that newly aerodynamic yet handsome flagship that featured what would become an Audi hallmark -- an elegantly stylish, high-quality cabin.

Sadly, Audi's fortunes turned for the worse when the carmaker's 5000 model was accused of unintended acceleration in a 60 Minutes television episode. A subsequent government investigation found Audi innocent of the charge, but the resulting drop in sales nearly put Audi out of business in the U.S.

The late '80s saw Audi redesign the 4000, renaming it the 80 and 90 (with the 90 having more equipment) and also rename the 5000, dubbing it the 100 or 200. The 200 featured a turbocharged five-cylinder with all-wheel drive as opposed to a non-turbo five and front-wheel drive, as on the 100. A Coupe also debuted, as did a new flagship, a V8-powered 200 sedan simply called the "V8".

The following decade saw the A4 and Cabriolet models, as well as the renaming of the 100 to A6. The stunning A8 was introduced as Audi's new flagship, boasting all-aluminum construction and a beefy V8. High-performance versions of the various models bowed, dubbed S4, S6 and S8.

The start of the new millennium brought the TT, Audi's low-slung sport coupe (and later roadster). It also introduced RS versions of the A4 and A6, providing even more performance than "S" variants. In addition to "S" and "RS" versions of the TT, Audi's more recent releases include the A3 hatchback, Q5 crossover SUV, slick A5 coupe, exotic R8 sports car and A7 luxury hatchback sedan.

Today, Audi continues its success in the prestige car marketplace by offering a wide range of vehicles that impressively combine luxury and sport.

User Reviews:

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  My A8: So close to being a great car - 1999 Audi A8
  By programme - August 14 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a high quality car that didnt attract attention. Puchased an A8 lease trade-in with 28000 mi. Automatic everything. Wish I had seats like this in my house. Quick and agile for its size. Refreshing to drive. 19mpg around town. 24mpg highway. After 15000 miles were still getting to know each other, but Im hopeful for a long- term relationship.

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  My Rocket Ship - 2017 Audi R8
  By Xxx Xxxxxxx - August 12 - 5:00 am

  Went to buy new Ferrari, saw R8 and saved over $150,000, and got same performance.

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  Run Flats??? WTF did you ruin a fantastic car?? - 2017 Audi Q7
  By Jim Jezowski - August 12 - 4:22 am

  I was considering it, and it was my top choice until I found out they only come with Run Flats. After my experience with Run Flats on a Toyota, I will NEVER AGAIN own a car on Run Flats. They ride poorly, have no milage warranty, last half as long as other tires, and are EXPENSIVE to replace. Sorry Audi, I LOVE My A5 Cabrio, but will now buy someone elses car just because of the Run Flats.

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  Great Car but poor city mileage - 2016 Audi Q5
  By Shantanu - August 11 - 11:07 am

  I love driving this car, so nice but I wish few things were taken care of: 1) USB Port not there 2) Poor mileage in city driving conditions 3) Not compatible with Apple Carplay

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  2010 Audi A4 2.0 T Prem Plus - 2010 Audi A4
  By Bob W - August 9 - 7:42 pm

  #1. Oil consumption - when I purchased this car it used 1 qt oil every 1k to 1100k miles. I took it to the dealer. They worked on electronics and breather and added oil. They told me to drive it until the oil light came on. Record the miles driven. Bring it back for further tests. They took sample of oil and found metal in the oil. I was told that from 2009 - 2012, there was slag on the piston rings causing oil to drip and burn causing excess use of oil. Dealer replaced Pistons and rings. My car does not use any oil. Can go oil change to oil change without adding any oil. #2. Turbo - At approx 51 k miles, engine light came on. Took car to dealer for diagnostics. Turned out to be faulty turbo. Audi extended warranty of 7 years or 70k miles covered this repair. #3. Water pump - Replaced at approx 40k miles. Out of pocket expense. Approx $600.00. #4. Fuel injectors - While I have not had any problems with fuel injectors, there is extended warranty on the injectors of 12 years or 100k miles.

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  Great Car - 1996 Audi A4
  By Chupa Cabra - August 9 - 2:00 am

  This car will be in the shop more then a toyota, but there is a reason why you didnt want a toyota in the fist place, I love the styling and everything about this car.

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  WHAT A CAR! - 1997 Audi A8
  By wil03 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I have owned Lexus LS400, Mercedes S500, and BMW 750IL. This car is by far the most fun to driveThe car is ultra smooth at speed in excess of 100 mph, truely a car made for the auto Bahn. I cant believe this car gets over 25mph on the freeway too! The Quattro is an asset to the car that makes you feel confident in any snowy/rainy road... something most of the other luxury car maker have not been able to match. So for ultimate safety and performance, this car is a deal! Especially for a used one, since unfortuantely this car doesnt hold up its value very well new.

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  A6 Avant - 1999 Audi A6
  By Larry Mormino - August 8 - 2:00 am

  We like the car but it is slightly underpowered and too many little things go wrong i.e., spearkers(one front one rear). The brakes make too much dust and the climate control will allow the temp to get too hot on cold days before getting the correct temp. The fuel pump went out over night so the car had to be towed in to be repaired. The cost of the pump was $350 and was not in stock.

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  ultimate car - 2002 Audi S4
  By lagger - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The best car on the road for value, function, performance & style.

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  Booming - 2002 Audi A6
  By Miki - August 8 - 2:00 am

  A6 2,7 Biturbo 250 HP Quattro Tiptronic really rules, especially on the tight mountain curves, where no M5 or AMG or the horrible SUVs can keep up!